Process for preparing delta11-steroid compounds



United States Patent ()fifice 3,164,616 Patented Jan. 5,1965

3,164,616 PROCESS FOR PREPARING A -STEROID CGMPOUNDS Kekhusroo R. Eharucha, Toronto, @ntario, Canada, as-

signor to Canada Packers Limited, Toronto, Ontario, Canada I No Drawing. Filed Sept. 17, 1963, Ser. No. 309,404

' 21 Claims. (Cl. 260-3971) This invention relates to the preparation of A -steroid compounds from corresponding lZ-hydroxy steroids and, in particular, to a process for the conversion of desoxycholic acid and derivatives thereof into A- steroid compounds.

The process of the invention is useful in the synthesis of cortison and hydrocortisone and other corticoidal hormones and analogues thereof which are characterized by the presence of an oxygen function at 011. Steroid compounds having n -unsaturation, as is well known in the art, are important intermediates for preparation of ll-oxygenated steroids. There are a number of wellknown processes for the preparation of A compounds from corresponding 12-hydroxy compounds, but these processes in general result in low yields and, in many instances, involve a number of complex reaction steps. (Fieser and Fieser, Steroids, 1959, page 636). No really satisfactory method for this conversion has been worked out.

It has now been found that 12-hydroxy steroids can be efficiently converted into A -compounds in good yield by sulfonation and dehydrosulfonation procedure, provided proper reaction conditions are employed. The conversion of a sterol into an aryl sulfonate and subsequent elimination of the elements of sulfonic acid therefrom is a wellknown method for the introduction of double bonds in the steroid nucleus. This method has been suggested for the synthesis of a number of A -steroids. Thus, Euw and Reichstein (Euw and Riechstein, Helv. Chim. Acta, 1946, 29, 654) disclosed a route to 3-keto-A etienic acids comprising tosylation of 12a-hydroxy sterols derived from desoxycholic acid and removal of the 1211- tosyloxy group. They found that best results for dehydrotosylation were obtained by using refluxing collidine or pyridine under pressure. Even under these stringent conditions the dehydrotosylation was very sluggish and some unchanged starting material was always recovered resulting in only fair yields (maximum-40% including recovery of unchanged tosylates). Better yields have been claimed by repeated passage of the 12a-t0sylates through columns of activated, slightly alkaline alumina. (G. Just and Ch. R. Engel, J. Org. Chem. 23, 12 (1958).) This modification, however, has been found to be impractical on a large scale and, furthermore, lacks generality, functioning best only when the molecule possesses certain features, e.g., a l7a-methyl grouping which would exert enhancing action on the elimination of the tosyloxy grouping.

It would appear that the dehydrosultonation of 12w sulfonates to give A -compounds should be very facile since both the llp-hydrogen atom and the 12a-sulfonate grouping are diaxial and, hence coplanar. This view, however, does not take into consideration the hindered nature of the llfl-substituent and it appears that the difliculties in the past have stemmed from the inaccessibility of the lip-hydrogen atom to attack by the base as a result of steric overcrowding by the C- and C-13 angular methyl groups.

It is an object of the invention, therefore, to provide an improved process for the preparation of A -steroid compounds from corresponding IZ-hydroxy steroid compounds.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved method for dehydrosulfonation of steroid compounds having a 12-organo-sulfonate group.

A more specific object is to provide an improved process for the preparation of 3ot-acetoxy-A -methyl cholenate from the 3-mono-acetate of methyl desoxycholate.

In accordance with the present invention it has been found that dehydrosulfonation takes place-quite readily and with greatly improved yields when the IZ-sulfonate is treated with a strong metallic alkoxide base, such as a metal tertiary alcoholate, e.g., alkali metal tertiary butoxide, in the presence of a dipolaraprotic solvent medium. Particularly good'results are obtained when the dehydrosulfonation is conducted by treatment of the 12- sulfonate with potassium tertiary butoxide in dimethylsulfoxide. Thus, treatment of a steroidal compound having a 12a-su1fonate group with potassium tertiary butoxide in anhydrous dimethylsulfoxide on a steam-bath for about an hour results in substantially complete dehydrosulfonation. Lower temperatures and longer reaction times may be used with satisfactory results. Substantially complete dehydrosulfonation will take place at room temperature it the reaction mixture is allowed to stand for several days or longer. In general, temperatures of about 40 to C. are preferred.

The process of the invention has general application to IZ-Hydroxy steroids and may be applied, for example, to derivatives of ergostane, cholestane, coprostane, sitostane, stigmastane, spirostane, cholane, allocholane, pregnane, allopregnane, and androstane. The starting materials can be variously substituted in the nucleus or in the side chain. The starting materials can have any configuration and may also contain double bonds at other positions in the molecule. The invention, however, is especially useful with compounds of the bile acid series such as desoxycholic acid and derivatives thereof, e.g., derivatives wherein the 17-side chain is -C(CH )=CHCH=C(CaHs)z and O(CH )=C(C@H5)2 Where the side chain includes carboxylic acid groups or hydroxyl groups, they should be esterified or acylated before carrying out the sulfonation step.

The sulfonating agent can be an aliphatic or aromatic sulfonic acid or corresponding acid halide, such as the chloride. Organic sulfonyl chlorides such as alkyl sulfonyl chlorides wherein the alkyl radical contains from 1 to 12 carbon atoms or aryl sulfonyl chlorides wherein the aryl group is either unsubstituted or substituted can be satisfactorily used. Representative examples of suitable organic sulfonating agents are para-toluenesulfonyl chloride, benzenesulfonyl chloride and methylsulfonyl chloride. Inorganic sulfonating agents, e.g., chlorosulfonic acid, likewise, may be useful.

I-Iydroxyl groups in other parts of the steroid molecule may be protected as by conversion into acyloxy groups, for example, acetoxy, propionoxy or benzoyloxy groups, and as aforementioned, acid groups are conveinently converted into the corresponding esters. Thus, where the starting material is desoxycholic acid, it is first converted into the 3a-acyloxy cholanate.

The conditions under which the sulfonation of the IZ-hydroxy group may be carried out are, in general, known to the art. It is prefered to use pyridine as the solvent medium for such reaction. Sulfonation with sulfonyl chlorides in pyridine at temperatures of 30 to 60 C. provides good results, but it should be realized that the temperature is not sharply critical. The amount of sulfonating agent is not particularly critical and, in

general, any excess over the theoretical may be used.

It is not necessary that the steroidal sulfonate be isolated base in combination with a dipolar aprotic solvent under anhydrous conditions, such as dimethylsulfoxide, as high as 90% conversion of the IZ-sulfonate to the A -compound can be obtained and yields of 70% or better, based on the 12-hydr0xy steroid starting material, may be obtained. In lieu of dimethylsulfoxide, otner dipolar aprotic solvents of the same class, such as N-rnethylpyrrolidone, dirnethylformamide and sulfolane under anhydrous con ditions may be utilize The overall process of the invention is exemplified by the following diagram: 7

9 1 \q ch an 7 i F Me m 2 Methylatiou Tosylation of 3a-acetoxy-lZa-hydroxy-methyl cholanate (I) proceeds to completion by carrying out the reaction at 55 C. for 96 hours or at lower temperature, e.g., (37 C.) for longer time (120 hrs.) to give the lZa-tosylate (H). The latter, obtained in ca. 93% weight yield, with out purification is heated with a solution of K-tert.- butoxide in anhydrous dimethylsulfoxide (DNSO) on a steam-bath for 1 hour, whereupon the elements of ptoluenesulfonic acid are lost completely with the introduction of the A -double bond; simultaneously the 3acetate and side chain methyl ester groupings are also saponified.

The crude'product (111) from the butoxide treatment is then methylated and acetylated to give, after purification, the desired Sa-acetoXy-A -methyl cholenate (1V) in an overall yield of about'70% based on (1).

Parallel results are obtained using benzenesulfonyl chloride and other sulfonating agents in place of p-toluenesultonyl chloride. ther. IZ-hydroxyl starting materials maybe used.

The following specific examples are illustrative of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1' Preparation of SwAcetoxy-lZen-Tosyloxy-Melhyl Cholanate A solution of 3a-acetoxy-12a-hydroxy methyl cholanate (2.5 g.) and p-toluenesulfonyl chloride (2.5 g.) in anh drous pyridine cc.) was heated at 55 C. il'C. f0r

. dig, a 96 hours. Samples taken out after 72 and 96 hours heating showed very little, if any, OH group on Infrared (I.R.) analysis. During the heating an oil separated out. On cooling the reaction mixture to room temperature, a few drops of water were added (to destroyexcess tosyl chloride) and then dil. (10%) HCl, when a sticky gum separated out. This was extracted twice with ethyl acetate, the organic extracts combined, washed with water, then dil. HCl and then three times With Water to pH 5. Evaporation of the dried extracts in vacuo at 50 C. (bath temperature) provided 3oa-acetoxy-12lx-tosyloxy-methyl cholanate as a colorless gum/froth (3.12 g.; 92.8% of theoretical yield). a Vim. 25 ran 205 in ethanol EXAMPLE 2 Preparation 0;, 3ot-Acezoxy-12oc-Benzenesulfonyloxy- Methyl Cholanate V A solution of 3a-acetoxy-IZa-hydroxy-methyl cholanate (2.5 g.) in anhydrous pyridine (5 cc.) and benzenesulfonylchloride (1.7 cc.) was heated at C. 1- 1C. for

C Moa COzMe K-t-butoxide (DMSO) acetylation H O III 96 hrs. At the end of 24 hrs. heating a brownish oil was seen to have separated out. At the end of the reaction the mixture was cooled to room temperature, when the dark brownoil solidified. Water was gradually added, with cooling, to destroy excess sulfonyl chloride, the clear solution allowed to stand at room temperature for 15 minutes and then diluted with more Water. The oil that separated out was extracted twice with ether after acidification with dil. HCl, the ethereal extracts combined, washed three times with water to pH 55.5, dried and evaporated in vacuo at 45-55 C. (bath temperature) to constant Weight. 3.11 g. (94.8% of theoretical yield) of 3a-acetoxy-l2a-benzenesulfonyloxy-methyl cholanate as a nearly colorless gum was recovered.

El,,,, 217 m =l37 in ethanol LR. showed no OH band.

EXAMPLE 3 7 Treatment of 3wacetoxy-l2a-hydroxy-methyl cholanate (5 g.) with benzenesulfonyl chloride (3.4 cc.) in anhydrous pyridine (10 cc.) for 113 hrrs. at-55 C.il C. and isolation of the productwith benzene gave the crude benzenesulfonate as a pale yellow viscousgum (6.14 g.; 93.6 i

. l lm. 17 m in ethanol LR. showed no OH band. I

EXAMPLE 4 i Preparation of 3u-4cet0ry-A -Methyl Cllolanate V A solution of the crude 3ot-acetoxy-12ot-tosyloxy methyl I-ICl. After refrigeration for 4 hrs. the colorless solid was filtered oil, washed with water to neutrality and dried at 31 C./ 10 mm. for 18 hrs. and then at 45-50"- C./ 10 mm. for 4 hrs. The crude 3u-hydroXy-A -cholenic acid thus obtained weighed 1.222 g., M.P. 136-140 C. (124 C. sinters). It exhibited no absorption maximum in the 220-340 m region, indicating complete removal of the tosylate grouping.

A portion (1.212 g) of the A compound was esterified with ethereal diazomethane in the presence of traces of methanol to give after evaporation of solvents in vacuo at 45-50 C. (bath temperature) crude 3et-hydroxy-A methyl cholenate as a colorless solid (1.255 g.). The latter was acetylated in pyridine (2 cc.; anhydrous) and acetic anhydride (2 cc.) at room temperature for 40 hrs. A few drops of water were then added, with cooling, when crystallization set in. More water (ca. 75 cc.) was added and the mixture refrigerated for 7 hrs. Filtration, washing with dil. (10%) I-ICl, then water and drying at 30 C./ 10 mm. for hrs. gave crude 3a-acetoxy-A methyl cholenate as a pale yellow solid (1.35 g.), M.P. 95-111 C. (92 C. sinters).

- For purification, the preceding solid (1.32 g.) was dissolved in a mixture (1:1) of hexane-benzene and put on a column of Florisil (32 g.). The residues (total weight 1.0 gram) obtained from evaporation of the hexanebenzene and benzene fractions upon crystallization from methanol gave pure 3ot-acetoxy-A -methyl cholenate as a colorless solid (0.98 g.), M.P. l19-120. This represents an overall yield of about 70% based on 1212- hydroxy starting compound (about 74% based on the crude tosylate).

EXAMPLE 5 A mixture of crude tosylate (0.4 g.; same starting material as used in Example 4) and K-t-butoxide (400 mg.) in anhydrous DMSO (8 cc.) was heated on the steam-bath in N atmosphere for 1 hr. 15 minutes. Isolation as above gave crude 3a-hydroxy-A -cholenic acid (0.233 g.). U. V. showed no absorption maximum in the 220-340 mg region. TLC (Thin layer chromatogram) showed 2 spots with the top one being ca. 80%. A portion (0.206 g.) of the preceding solid was treated with acetone at room temperature, filtered from insolubles, the filtrate concentrated to a small volume, diluted with water to turbidity and allowed to crystallize in the refrigerator overnight, to give pure 3a-hydroxy-A -cholenic acid as colorless needles, M.P. 162-163 C.

EXAMPLE 6 A mixture of crude 3ot-acetoxy-l2u-benzenesulfonyloxymethyl cholanate (3.06 g.; from Example 2 above) and K-'t-butoxide (3.06 g.) in anhydrous DMSO cc.) was flushed with dry N for 10-15 minutes before heating on the steam-bath for 1 hr. Within 20 minutes, copious crystallization occured. On cooling, water and dil. (10%) HCl were added and the solid filtered ofi, after refrigeration overnight, washed with water and dried to constant weight at 34 C./ 10 mm. Weight of colorless solid: 2.035 g.; M.P. 132-142 C. (120 sinters). No absorption maximum in the 217-340 m region.

A portion (2.013 g.) of the crude 3a-hydroxy-A cholenic acid was esterified with ethereal diazomethane in the presence of a little methanol in the usual manner to give crude 3u-hydroxy-A -methyl cholenate as a yellow was added, when a gum separated out.

6. gum (2.17 g.). The latter was acetylated in anhydrous pyridine (3.5 .cc.) and commercial acetic anhydride (3.5 cc.) at room temperature for 43 hrs. On cooling, water twice with ether, after acidification of the mixture with dil. (10%) HCl. The ethereal extracts were combined,

washed with water, dried over anhydrous Na SO and evaporated in vacuo at 45-55 C. (bath temperature) to leave crude 3a-acetoxy-Al -methyl cholenate as a yellow.

semicrystalline mass (237 g.). For purification, the latter (2.35 g.) was dissolved in benzene (4 cc.)-hexane (8 cc.) and put on a column of Florisil (58 g.), prepared in hexane. The residues obtained from evaporation of the hexane-benzene and benzene fractions upon crystallization from methanol gave pure 3a-acetoxy-A -methyl cholenate as a colorless solid (1.588 g.), M.P. 115-118" C. This represents an overall yield of 72.3% based on the crude benzenesulfonate.

EXAMPLE 7 Crude 3a-acetoxy-l2a-benzenesulfonyloxy-methyl cholanate (3.005 g.; from Example 3 above) and K-t-butoxide (2.4 g.) in anhydrous DMSO (20 cc.) was heated (N atmosphere) on the steam-bath for 1 hr. Isolation of the product as before gave crude 3oz-hydroxy-A cholenic acid as a colorless solid (1.981 g.), M.P. 132- 152 C. (129 C. sinters). No absorption maximum in the 215-340 m region. TLC showed 2 spots with the top one being -80%.

A portion (1.972 g.) was converted with ethereal diazomethane into the methyl ester, which was obtained as a yellow gum (2.05 g.). The latter was acetylated in pyridine (3.5 cc.; anhydrous) and acetic anhydride (3.5 cc.) at room temperature for 30 hrs. and the product isolated by extraction with ether to give crude 3a-acetoxy- A -methyl cholenate as a yellow gum (2.251 g.). I.R. showed no band in the OH stretching region indicating that the acetylation was complete despite the shorter than usual reaction time.

, For purification, a portion (2.23 g.) was dissolved in benzene (1 cc.)-hexane (5 cc.) and put on a column of Florisil (55 g.), prepared in hexane. The residues (1.8 grams) obtained as in the previous examples on crystallization gave pure 3a-acetoxy-A -methyl cholenate as colorless solid (1.64 g.), M.P. 114-117 C. TLC showed a single spot. This represents an overall yield of 75.9% based on the crude benzenesulfonate.

EXAMPLE 8 Crude 3a-acetoxy-12ot-benzenesulfonyloxy-methyl cholanate (0.20 g.) and K-t-butoxide (0.160 g.) in anhydrous DMSO (2 cc.) was stirred at room temperature for 65 hours. Isolation of the product by pouring into water and acidification with dilute HCl yielded crude 3ahydroxy-A rcholenic acid (0.12 8 g.), M.P. -130 C. LR. showed a band at 730 cm.- (A grouping). No absorption maximum in the 215-340 m region.

EXAMPLE 9 A mixture of crude 3u-acetoxy-12a-toxsyloxy-methyl cholanate (2.5 g.), obtained as in Example 1 in 98% yield, and K-t-butoxide (2.5 g.) in anhydrous N-methylpyrrolidone was stirred and heated at 100-105 C. (bath temperature) for one hour in N atmosphere. Isolation of the product with benzene gave crude 3u-hydroxy-A cholenic acid (2.05 g.) as a gum. Methylation and acetylation in the usual manner gave a gum (1.858 g.)

which, upon chromatographic purification gave 0.972 g.

(M.P. -118 C.). Crystallization from methanol gave pure 3e-acetoxy-A -methyl cholenate as a colorless solid (0.919 g.) M.P. -121 C. The overall yield based on the crude tosylate was approximately 53%.

EXAMPLE 10 A mixture of crude tosylate (2.5 g.) (same starting material as in the preceding example) and K-t-butoxide It was extracteda solid (2.013 g.).

lization from methanol as before.

EXAMPLE 1 1 A solution of 3a-acetoxy-IZa-hydIoXy-methyl cholanate (2.5 g.) and mesyl chloride (0.83 cc.) in anhydrous pyridine (5 cc.) was left at room temperature for 88 hours. Isolation of theproduct with benzene in the usual manner gave crude 3aacetoxy-IZa-mesyIQXy-methyl cholanate as agum (2.83 g.; 96.6%). (2.82 g.) was mixed with K-t-butoxide (2.99 g.) and anhydrous DMSO (18.5 cc.), and the mixture was stirred and heated at 100-110 C. (bath temperature) for 40 minutes in nitrogen atmosphere. Isolation of the product by pouring into water and acidification with dil. HCl gave crude 3a-hydroXy-A -cholenic acid (2.247 g.). Methylation and acetylation as usual. gave a pale yellow gum (2.369 g). The latter (2.353 g.) was chromatographed on Florisil (60 g.) to give 3a-1acetoXy-A -methyl cholenate (1.334 g.). M.P. 109115 C. This represents a yield of about 60% based on the crude mesylate. The material can be purified by crystallization from methanol as above.

I claim:

1. A process for preparing a A -steroid compound from a 12-hydroxy steroid comprising reacting said 12- hydroxy steroid with a sulfonating agent to provide a 12- sulfonate group and treating the resulting compound with a strong metallic alkoxide base in a dipolar aprotic solvent medium to remove the sulfonate group and introduce A -unsaturation.

2. A process for preparing a-A -steroid compound from a 12ot-hydroxy steroid comprising reacting said 12oz:

hydroxy steroid with an organic su-lfonyl chloride to provide a l2a-organosulfonate group and treating the resulting compound with a metallic tertiary alcoholate in a dipolar aprotic solvent medium to remove the l2a-organosulfonate group and introduce A -unsaturation.

3. A process for preparing a A -steroid compound from a 120i-hYdTOXy steroid comprising reacting said 12ahydroxy steroid with an organic sulfonyl chloride to provide a 12e-organosulfon-ate group and treating the resulting compound with potassium tertiary butoxide in dimethylsulfoxide.

4. A process for preparing a A -steroid comprising tosylating a 12tx-hydroxy steroid to provide a 12a-tosy1ate group and dehydrotosylating the resulting 12a-tosylate compound with potassium tertiary butoxide in dimethylsulfoxide. i

5. A process for preparing a A -steroid compound from a l2u-hydroxy steroid comprising treating said 120chydroxysteroid with benzenesulfonyl chloride to provide a 12a-benzene sulfonate group and dehydrosulfonating the resulting compound with potassium tertiary butoxide in dimethylsulfoxide.

6. A process for dehydrosulfonating a steroid compound having a Cl2 sulfonate group to provide A -unsaturation comprising treating said compound with a strong metallic alkoxide base in a dipolar aprotic solvent.

7. A process for 'dehydrosultonating a steroid compound having a C12 isuifonate group to provide A -unsaturaztion comprising treating said compound with potassium tertiary butoxide in dimethylsulfoxide.

8 A process for dehydrosuli'onating a steroid compound having a C-12 sulfonate group to provide A -unsaturation comprising treating said compound with potassium tertiary butoxide in N-methylpyrrolidone.

snegers This material sium tertiary butoxide in sulfolane.

9. A process for dehydrosulfonating a steroid compound having a C-l2 sulfonate group to provide A -unsaturation comprising treating said compound with potas- 10. The process ofclaim 6 wherein the reaction mixture is heated at approximately 120 C. for about one hour to substantially completely remove sulfonic acid from the steroid compound and introduce the A -double bond.

11. A process for preparing a A -steroid compound comprising esteriiying a 12ot-hydroxy steroid compound of the cholane series with an organic sulfonyl chloride to provide the corresponding l2a-organo-suifonate ester and treating said ester with a strong metallic alkoxide base in a dipolar aprotic solvent medium to dehydrosulfonate said ester and introduce A -unsaturation.

12. A process for preparing 3a-hydroXy-A -cholenic acid from 3a-acetoxy-12ot-hydroXy-methyl cholanate com- Q acid comprising tosylating 3a-acetoxy-l2ct-hydroxy-methyl cholanate to provide 3a-acetoxy- 12a-tosyloxy-methyl cholanate and treating said tosylate with potassium tertiary butoxide in dimethyl sulfoxide to effect dehydrotosylation with accompanying saponification of the 3- acetoxy and methyl ester groupings.

14. A process for preparing 3a-l1ydroxy-A -cholenic acid comprising treating 30t-flCi.OXY-12OL-hYdIOXY methyl choianate with benzenesulfonyl chloride to provide 3aacetoxy-12or-benzenesulfonyloXy-methyl cholanate and dehydrosulfonating the latter compound with potassium tertiary butoxide in dimethyl sulfoxide to introduce A unsaturation with accompanying saponification of the 3- acetoxy and methyl ester groupings.

15. A process for producing a A i-compound of the cholane series comprising heating a steroid compound of the cholane series having a l2a-organo-sulfonate group with potassium tertiary butoxide in dimethyl sulfoxide to dehydrosulfonate said compound with introduction of A -unsatur ation.

16. The process of claim 15' wherein the reaction mixture is heated at about 90-120" C. for approximately one hour.

17. The process of claim 15 wherein the cholane compound treated is a l2e-organo-sulfonate of 3ot-acetoxy- 12ct-hYdIOXY-II16ihYl cholanate.

l8. The-process of claim 17 wherein the cholane compound is 3a-acetoxy-12a-tosyloxy-methyl cholanate.

19. The process of claim 17 wherein the cholane compound is 3a-acetoxy 12o: benzenesulfonyloxy-methyl cholanate.

20. The process of claim 17 wherein the cholane compound is 3a-acetony-lZa-mesyloxy-methyl cholan ate.

21. A process for preparing 3oi-acetoXy-A -methyl cholanate comprising sulfonating 3a-acetoXy-12a-hydroXy-methyl cholanate with an organo-sulronyl chloride in pyridine, heating the resulting 12a-sulionate with potassium tertiary butoxide in dimethyl sulfoxide to provide 3m-hydroXy-A -cholenic acid, esteritying the acid to provide the ester and acetylating the latter compound.

OTHER REFERENCES Engel: I. Qrg. Chem. (1961), vol. 26, No. 8, page 2868 relied on.

LEWIS GOTTS, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,164,616 January 5, 1965 Kekhusroo R. Bharucha It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected belo' Column 3, in the diagram IV, for

Methylation Methylation acetylation read acetylation column 5, line 2, for "Chola'nate", in italics, read Cholenate in italics.

Signed and sealed this 3rd day of August 1965.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER' EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A PROCESS FOR PREPARING A $**11-STEROID COMPOUND FROM A 12-HYDROXY STEROID COMPRISING REACTING SAID 12HYDROXY STEROID WITH A SULFONATING AGENT TO PROVIDE A 12SULFONATE GROUP AND TREATING THE RESULTING COMPOUND WITH A STRONG METALLIC ALKOXIDE BASE IN A DIPOLAR APROTIC SOLVENT MEDIUM TO REMOVE THE SULFONATE GROUP AND INTRODUCE $11-UNSATURATION.
 12. A PROCESS FOR PREPARING 3A-HYDROXY-$--11-CHOLENIC ACID FROM 3A-ACETOXY-12A-HYDROXY-METHYL CHOLANATE COMPRISING ESTERIFYING THE 12A-HYDROXY GROUP OF SAID COMPOUND WITH AN ORGANIC SULFONYL CHLORIDE TO PROVIDE THE CORRESPONDING 12A-ORGANO-SULFONATE ESTER AND TREATING SAID ESTER WITH A STRONG METALLIC ALKOXIDE BASE IN A DIPOLAR APROTIC SOLVENT MEDIUM TO DEHYDROSULFONATE SAID ESTER WITH ACCOMPANYING SAPONIFICATION OF THE 3-ACETOXY AND METHYL ESTER GROUPINGS. 